Pierce Manufacturing Invests $150 Million to Advance Operations

Pierce Manufacturing Inc. revealed a fresh wave of significant facility improvements throughout its manufacturing operations in Appleton, WI. These strategic investments are intended to increase production capacity, which will enable quicker delivery of high-quality fire apparatus to fire departments. They build on a multi-year modernization initiative that was started in 2022 and the company's long history of emphasizing innovation and reinvestment.

In order to boost production levels and shorten lead times for the whole industry, Pierce is investing more than $150 million across manufacturing plants in Wisconsin, Florida, and Tennessee. Through ongoing workforce growth and the integration of cutting-edge robotics and fabrication technologies, Pierce's long-term commitment to quality and innovation is strengthened by these latest additions, which build on steady progress to increase manufacturing capacity and have already invested about $60 million. Over the past few years, Pierce has made expenditures such as recruiting 800 new American employees, increasing its manufacturing capacity by 28 percent, and adding 500,000-sq.-ft. of facility space.

“These technologies reflect our dedication to continuous improvement and safety, as well as our commitment to delivering fire apparatus to firehouses faster while maintaining the same exceptional level of quality that defines our products,” said Mike Pack, Oshkosh Corporation’s Executive Vice President and President, Vocational. “We have already reduced lead times by over three months from their peak. With these sustained investments, we are continuing to work to return to pre-pandemic lead times."

The fabrication and assembly operations of Pierce's Appleton production site are being transformed by new automation and precision technology. Every investment is intended to improve quality, boost production flow, decrease manual touches, and team members' safety. The most recent investments consist of:

• An automated panel bender that completes several bends in a fraction of the time needed by conventional presses and a Penta 30K laser, one of only two in the US, that can cut up to two inches of steel with beveled edges, doing away with the need for hand sanding.
• Hand-held laser welding technology that produces accurate results with little material warpage; automated rail welding systems that cut welding time by up to two-thirds; and a semi-automated folding machine that enables a single operator to execute complicated bends securely and effectively.
• An AI-powered sanding system and buffing robots that more consistently and effectively prepare metal panels for painting.
• A 26,000-sq.-ft. paint facility extension in Appleton is almost finished. It will include new, cutting-edge paint booths and curing ovens that increase capacity and guarantee every fire vehicle has a perfect finish.
• Modernizing the parts facility to consolidate warehousing and moving the manufacturing release line (MRL) to enhance production flow and quality control. By moving and reformatting the cab and chassis lines into a bigger 224,000-sq.-ft. area, these expansions freed up vital production capacity and improved productivity and quality even further. 

For more information on Pierce fire apparatus and facilities, visit www.piercemfg.com. 

About Pierce Manufacturing

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] business, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini pumpers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, purpose-built vehicles and equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™, Oshkosh® Defense and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.